Mr. Ivan “Buddy” Abrams, 80, Rochester, was surrounded by his loving family when he went to be with the Lord Sunday morning, Feb. 7, 2016, at his home. This followed a valiant and courageous two year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Minnie, a small town in Floyd County, Ky., on Nov. 1, 1935, Ivan was a treasured son of Wiley and Roxie Hall Abrams. Growing up as the youngest of five children Ivan shared his childhood with two sisters and two brothers. In 1968, Ivan moved to Rochester from Drift, Ky. It was here that he met Carolyn Smith, the love of his life who later became his best friend and wife. At the First Presbyterian Church on Nov. 25, 1971, Ivan and Carolyn were united in marriage. Together they enjoyed more than 44 years of life’s adventures.

With a solid work ethic, Ivan worked at Torin – Brookside Corporation for 33 years retiring in 2002. A man of perpetual motion, in 2007 he returned to the work force for Rochester Metal Products as a security guard, retiring late last year after eight years of service.

As the patriarch of the Abrams family, Grandpa Ivan was proud to oversee five generations. There was nothing more fun than enjoying the company and visits of his grandchildren and their kids. Many memories were made fishing at Lake Manitou’s Dam, baiting their hooks and assisting them with landing the catch of the day. He enjoyed working in the yard and annually planting a truck patch garden with Carolyn. Fall would bring on the bountiful harvest with canning and freezing a supply for winter’s use.

To kick back and relax, Ivan enjoyed camping with his family at Yogi Bear near Plymouth. There was nothing more fun than sitting around the campfire beneath the starlit summer skies making memories and cooking a hotdog or creating a S’more over the campfire while enjoying his drink of choice, an ice cold Coke. He was also a great competitor throwing horse shoes with dead eye accuracy.

With an outgoing, uplifting personality and extraordinary sense of humor, Ivan could enter a room and have a captive audience laughing in a matter of a few minutes. As the youngest of five children, he brought much joy to his family being active and inquisitive, always curious to discover what made everything tick. Ivan will be missed by all, but his family knows where he is now. He is happy and joyful after being reunited with family and friends who have gone before. Rest in peace until we meet again.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife: Carolyn, at home; three daughters: Chris (Randy) Sutton; Leeann (John) Fisher; Rhonda (Todd) Abbott, all of Rochester; four sons: Joe Manns, Athens; Jack (Mary) Hedrick; Jim (companion Dawn) Hedrick; John (Iva) Hedrick, all of Rochester; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces; nephews; and cousins; and his cherished canine companions: Tiny, the blonde Pomeranian; Scoobie, the red and tan Dachshund; who will all be mourning his passing. Preceding him in death are his parents; two sisters: Marie and Ruby; and two brothers: Ed and Effort.

Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester. The service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, also at Good Family Funeral Home, officiated by Jason See. Burial will follow in the Citizen’s Cemetery.